Federal rule (New England federal waters) · Massachusetts lists none of its own
No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.
NOAA GARFO 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Often mistaken for
Winter flounderThick, right-facing. Tell them apart
Summer flounderBig mouth, eye-spots. Tell them apartKeep the wrong fish and its rule applies.
How to tell it
So thin it's translucent held to the sun; nearly round, left-facing, finely freckled. More on the windowpane flounder page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Windowpane flounder in other states5 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask2
Can you keep windowpane flounder in Massachusetts?
No. Harvest is prohibited in New England federal waters waters, and Massachusetts lists no rule of its own. Release it in the water where you can. No retention in federal or Massachusetts waters — release immediately.
How current is this Massachusetts windowpane flounder rule?
Source: NOAA GARFO 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
In the appPoint the camera at a windowpane flounder in Massachusetts and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
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